It's very odd, but I've been a Mason since October 2011 (Raised September 2012) and only been in the OES since November 2014. I'm presumed to be the incoming (next month) Worthy Patron of my Chapter, and I've never been Master of my Lodge....

In any case, any stock advice for a rookie Worthy Patron-to-be?

J.D. WalkerFree and Accepted Masons of the District of ColumbiaRoyal Arch of the District of ColumbiaOrder of the Eastern Star, Grand Chapter of Virginia

Elections last night, so I'm no longer the *presumed* incoming Worthy Patron....I *am* the incoming Worthy Patron. My incoming Worthy Matron, during the election, leaned over and whispered "is it too late to change my mind?"....heh...... yup!

J.D. WalkerFree and Accepted Masons of the District of ColumbiaRoyal Arch of the District of ColumbiaOrder of the Eastern Star, Grand Chapter of Virginia

First and foremost, the Worthy Matron didn't even intend to put in the time, she just wanted the title and to tell everyone else what to do. She has asked "this isn't going to interfere with my DAR activities, is it??" She's in charge of her Daughters of the American Revolution chapter.

On top of that, I've got one member who is a past Matron, who was trying to be the Worthy Matron from the chair of the chapter Star Point Society president. She was running the Star Point Society like her own personal fiefdom, ignoring bylaws and not having elections, and doing things the Society does not need to be doing.

That particular Past Matron misrepresented what our current Secretary said about our current Associate Matron...and started what basically amounts to a schism in the Chapter. The Secretary was talking to her predecessor about a rumor that was floated about the AM and her husband (the current AP). They're honest, reputable people, so I won't even dignify the nasty rumor by repeating it, but suffice it to say that it is NOT true.

Chapter members are complaining left and right about the WM, and about the PM, and meetings are tense. I have to preside for half the meeting, and I come out of them mentally exhausted.

Once I'm no longer Worthy Patron, that chapter is not going to see me for at least a year....

J.D. WalkerFree and Accepted Masons of the District of ColumbiaRoyal Arch of the District of ColumbiaOrder of the Eastern Star, Grand Chapter of Virginia

My friend, I am intimately aware of the "politics" that surround clubs and organizations and I hate it.I am sorry you stuck in that situation. Fortunately we do not have it in my Chapter or at least that I can see. there are some very small issues but they do not detract from the meetings or socializing.

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